The White Horse is situated on top of Crowcombe Hill east of Chalford on the main road from Stroud to Cirencester. The White Horse was originally a Nailsworth Brewery tied house. The Nailsworth Brewery was amalgamated with the Cheltenham Original Brewery and the White Horse began to sell Cheltenham Ales. An old photograph confirms this – a pony and trap is shown in front of the White Horse with ‘Cheltenham Ales’ painted above the stone built entrance portico.
In 1974 Whitbread published a book entitled ‘Inn and Around – 250 Favourite Whitbread Pubs’. The White Horse was described on page 149.
The Citizen: Wednesday, October 31st 1984: Taking over the Horse’s reins: Licensees David and Heather Honhold have take over the reins of the White Horse Inn, near Stroud. The couple, from Swindon, moved into the pub at Frampton Mansell earlier this month after semi-retirement spent running a shop in Woolacombe proved too quiet for them. Mr Honhold (51), an engineering production manager for 20 years and his wife, tried at first to find a free house, but then the Whitbread brewery’s White Horse came up and seemed a viable proposition. “I decided to opt out of my industry and do my own thing,” said Mr. Honhold. When current alterations are complete, the Honholds say they will be offering a more extensive menu in both the White Horse bar and restaurant.
In 2004 an advertisement for the pub said that the ‘licensees have transformed what had been a run-down – and indeed closed – pub into a smart, friendly dining place with attractive furnishings. Alongside the pine tables, rush matting and clean up-to-date décor of the main part, they have also included a cosy bar area with a large sofa and comfortable chairs for those who want to pop in just for a refreshing drink.’
The White Horse at Frampton Mansell was awarded Gloucestershire Dining Pub of the Year in 2007 in the Good Pub Guide. In 2003 the pub was awarded a similar accolade and in 2004, it was named the Les Routiers’ National Dining Pub of the Year. For a boxing day feast in 2002 the White Horse served up a traditional boars head dinner – the head was roasted for four and a half hours at Gas Mark 3 in a shallow pan of water!
Surprisingly, the award-winning gastropub suddenly closed for business on Sunday 13th April 2008. All the furniture has since been removed and the White Horse remains empty. A refuse truck crashed into the porch and outbuilding of the empty pub in July 2008 – fortunately no one was seriously hurt.
Map Reference: SO 922018
This page will be updated with additional information.
Licensing Details:
Owner in 1891: Nailsworth Brewery
Rateable value in 1891: £11.12s.0d.
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Owner in 1903: Nailsworth Brewery
Rateable value in 1903: £11.10s.0d.
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Landlords at the White Horse include:
1856 E. Martin
1885,1891 Joseph Hill
1903,1906 Mrs Emily Harman
1919,1927 Albert Watts
1939 Joseph Baverstock
1984 David and Heather Honhold
2002,2006 Shaun and Emma Davies
